Learning and Training Coordinator

Background Information – Job-specific

General Background

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background information – IPS

IPS is responsible for the UNOPS delivery practices delivery through leadership, standards and oversight as support to the successful delivery of programmes and projects within UNOPS service lines of infrastructure, procurement, project management, and human resources and financial management services. IPS is comprised of the Infrastructure and Project Management Group and the Procurement Group which aims to reduce organizational risks, improve project performance, and promote excellence across UNOPS projects through the Standards Management Framework; and provides organizational oversight on the application of standards. These Groups also support the positioning of UNOPS in the UN system and development sector in Infrastructure, Project Management and Procurement

The Portfolio Support Unit is responsible for building up and managing aspects of the organizational readiness of UNOPS, in particular a pool of retainers (experts) that can be deployed to any UNOPS country office or project, on an ad-hoc basis (the Corporate Retainer Pool). This unit within IPS also provides operational support to IPS while working in close relationship with other Headquarter (HQ) units, notably the Shared Services Center (SSC). The unit is headed by the Portfolio Support Manager, supervising a team of personnel in different fields.

Background information – Job specific

UNOPS Personnel Development – Learning and Training: UNOPS provides learning opportunities to its personnel, addressing both technical and soft skills. This includes a plethora of learning activities accessible to all personnel (with relevant eligibility criteria) in the UNOPS Learning Zone, the Learning Management System where all learning opportunities are centralized. Since the pandemic, UNOPS has been largely focusing on online courses (including self-paced, and with virtual attendance) and maximising the use of digital tools for the delivery of learning and training activities. Now, UNOPS has reverted to a more blended approach. The Learning Zone provides the possibility to create learning paths per sector, service line, position type, etc.

As part of UNOPS learning opportunities, HQ business units develop and execute learning activities that are deployed globally as per the agreed annual workplan, including e-courses, in-presence training programme and workshops, access to external professional certifications, individual/group coaching and mentoring, etc., for which participants can be nominated on the basis of eligibility and the priority of the UNOPS country office. In addition, HQ business units contribute technically to relevant learning activities developed locally by the UNOPS country offices to address their specific needs

UNOPS personnel can also apply to other individual learning opportunities outside of the Learning Zone platform, when relevant to their roles and aligned to the Business Unit/Section’s goals.

IPS Learning and Training: As part of its mandate, UNOPS delivers services in procurement, infrastructure, project management, financial management (including grant support management) and HR management. UNOPS ensures that its personnel expertise in these 5 service lines is continuously developed and maintained, and that they are kept abreast of best practices, standards and how to operationalise them in the UNOPS context. IPS develops and coordinates the internal learning and training resources related to the 5 service lines of UNOPS, including self-paced, face to face (inc. virtual attendance) UNOPS courses, and mentoring and coordinates access to external courses and professional certifications offered to eligible UNOPS personnel in these areas (currently: Prince2, MSP and CIPS).

Functional Responsibilities

Working in the Portfolio Support (PS) within the Implementation Practices and Standards (IPS) function, the successful incumbent will be expected to be primarily responsible for coordinating and supporting the planning, budgeting, content development, organization (including logistics), delivery and reporting of progress of the IPS training and learning activities that fall under the IPS mandate (including mentoring, courses, trainings and workshops; online and face-to-face) for targeted UNOPS personnel. In addition, the Learning and Training Coordinator is expected to provide technical inputs as a learning expert to the IPS internal and external learning offer, notably to provide advice and input on how IPS can enhance the learning experience as well as ensure that the targeted outcomes for each learning activity can be met (learning approach, learning objectives, instructional design, etc.) .

The Learning and Training Coordinator will be expected to keep abreast of the industry standards and introduce new and innovative approaches to IPS training and learning activities and contribute from a learning perspective to the adequate choice of learning strategy and approach for each activity. The Learning and Training Coordinator will closely liaise with the People and Performance Group (PPG) Learning Team, the IPS technical leads (subject matter experts) and other units/groups as required to carry out the roles and responsibilities.

Please attach a cover letter explaining your motivation for this position and describing how relevant your experience is. Applications without a cover letter may be disregarded.

The Learning and Training Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

• Ownership of various tasks, work packages and projects in relation to Training and Learning as outlined and assigned in the annual work plan for IPS/PS.
• Be the IPS focal point for all learning and training activities; manage all IPS entries in the UNOPS learning system (UNOPS Learning Zone).
• Work in close collaboration with UNOPS HQ teams and field offices teams to coordinate the learning and training activities logistics and therefore ensure their successful delivery.
• As applicable, act as coordination focal point for strategic partnerships with professional bodies and external partners for training and professional development, working towards the professionalization of the infrastructure, and project management and procurement practice, including professional development and external certification of practice personnel.
• Provide analysis, reporting and evaluation on IPS Learning and Training activities as well as Individual development activities.
• Responsible for the collation and incorporation of lessons learned, ensuring continuous improvement in all learning activities and training courses.
• Responsible for the timely inputs from technical experts and other relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate the booking of ad-hoc resources (retainer and lumpsum contract holders) and call-off orders or purchase orders to suppliers, as needed.
• Provide research and data collection on specific topics related to Learning and Training upon request.

IPS learning and training activities – offered to UNOPS personnel

• Coordinate the planning and timely execution of IPS learning and training annual work plan funded by the corporate learning and training budget, based on the inputs received from the IPS technical leads.
• Advise on the best learning strategy and approach for each learning activity.
• Provide learning expert inputs as part of content development; contribute to content reviews as applicable.
• Organize and co-deliver as applicable with technical experts selected training and learning activities in infrastructure, project management and procurement for targeted UNOPS personnel. This includes the coordination of logistics and necessary procurement activities and management of the activities in the UNOPS learning management system (UNOPS Learning Zone).
• Monitor the use of the allocated budget and provide monthly reports.
• Provide technical input and expertise to the creation of learning paths in the Learning zone, as well as to the development and format of the learning activities content.
• Supports the implementation of the learning strategy for the different service lines and ensures that the material in the learning management system is up-to-date.

Internal IPS learning and training activities – for IPS personnel

• Identify specific relevant learning areas for IPS personnel and make propositions for internal teach back or learning focus activities.
• Be responsible for the coordination of individual learning requests; make individual recommendations on relevant courses and other learning activities.
• Coordinate the delivery of internal training courses and workshops for the IPS personnel.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Identify areas for improvement and provide on-going maintenance and updates of the UNOPS Intranet space with the most current information, relevant to IPS learning and training activities.
• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on areas of expertise.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and disseminating best practices in his/her area of work.
• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and put them to use productively.
• Undertake research on a range of issues related to portfolio support and provide content for notes/reports including quarterly and year-end reports for monitoring, statistical and review purposes by management.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Responsible for meeting and setting goals, targets and performance standards; reporting on own progress against work plan.
• Responsible for supporting the timely delivery of products and work packages under the technical lead of the relevant IPS technical teams.
• Establish and maintain a planning and progress monitoring tool for IPS learning activities.
• Ongoing assessment of task completion, which meets quality expectations.
• Regular monitoring and reporting on budget for IPS learning and development activities.
• Monthly monitoring and reporting on completion of mandatory training of IPS personnel.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An Advanced University Degree or a Master’s Degree in: Education / Teaching / Learning and Training is required;
• An Advanced University Degree or a Master’s Degree in: Development Studies / Project Management / International Relations or other relevant disciplines may be accepted if combined with a Certification related to Learning and Training Development, or relevant teaching/training experience;
• A first-level University degree or Bachelor’s or equivalent in a related field of study with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s Degree requirement;
• Certification related to Learning and Training Development is considered an asset.

Work Experience

Required:

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in training development, training delivery and learning activities in one or more of UNOPS service lines (financial management, HR services, procurement, infrastructure, project management) is required; and is preferred to be applied to the development field;
• At least 1 year of demonstrated experience in the coordination of activities or execution of a work plan is required;
• Knowledge of Google Workspace, preferably Google sheet, Google doc, Google slides and Google drive, is required.

Asset:

• Experience developing online courses is a distinctive advantage.
• Experience with infrastructure, project management and/or procurement in the UN context is considered a distinctive advantage.
• Experience developing learning strategies is an asset.
• Previous working experience in developing countries or in an international environment is considered an asset.
• Experience with PRINCE2, MSP or CIPScertification is considered an asset.
• Working knowledge of Google data studio is considered an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English required.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is highly desired.

Additional Information

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates and candidates from the Global South are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits.
• Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
• This recruitment process may be used to fill other vacancies including short-term placements and retainer contracts.

Work environment

IPS offers a unique work environment in UNOPS headquarters, in Copenhagen, Denmark, located in the UN City building, one of Copenhagen’s landmarks. UNOPS HQ offers a safe, family-friendly lifestyle environment with multiple opportunities for networking and active lifestyle, in a city known for its excellent urban design and planning.

The IPS team is a diverse team in terms of age, nationalities and family situations. IPS is keen on strengthening diversity in the team with a current focus on gender equality and geographic diversity. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. IPS is very dynamic and welcomes agility, autonomy and self-drive. The work of IPS is oriented towards exciting opportunities which have a corporate, global impact and is in touch with the whole of UNOPS.

UNOPS has a hosting agreement with the Government of Denmark, and as such both national and international candidates are eligible for HQ-based positions. UNOPS officials are exempt from Danish taxes on UN incomes. EU citizens may opt to be registered with the Danish State Administration as EU migrant worker and keep the rights associated with that status or register through UNOPS with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. EU Citizens may apply for the public Danish health insurance or special health card depending on their choice of registration, while the non-EU citizens will be registered by UNOPS under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA

Contract level: ICA-1

Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx